Doug Jones vows 'independent review' of Brett Kavanaugh

Updated 3 weeks ago; Posted 7 mos ago

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones said he will conduct an "independent review" of Brett Kavanaugh before deciding if he will vote to support President Trump's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. (AL.com file photo)

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney, is a member of the Democratic Party that is expected to provide the resistance to Trump's pick in the Senate's confirmation process.

Jones was among the Democratic lawmakers invited to the announcement at the White House but did not attend. CNN reported no Democrat lawmakers were in the East Room when Trump made his announcement.

"Tonight's announcement is only a first step," Jones posted on Twitter Monday night. "A thorough vetting of Judge Kavanaugh's body of work will be critical for the Senate to fulfill its shared responsibility--which I take very seriously. I will be diligent in measuring the record and in undertaking an independent review."

Jones' position could be critical to Kavanaugh's confirmation as the Republicans hold only a 51-49 advantage in the Senate.

Assuming Kavanaugh's candidacy receives support in the Senate Judiciary Committee, he would need a simple majority of Senate votes to be placed on the high court.

"President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court," Shelby said in a statement. "He has impressive credentials, and I look forward to meeting with him to further consider his qualifications and commitment to upholding our Constitution as it is written. This nomination is one of the most important items that we will consider this year. I am hopeful that Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation process will be fair and timely."

Alabamians will be hearing a lot about Kavanaugh in the coming days. The Judicial Crisis Network said Monday night it is launching "Confirm Kavanaugh" -- a $1.4 million ad buy on national cable and digital platforms in Alabama as well as Indiana, North Dakota and West Virginia.

The ad will be a bio spot about Kavanaugh, JCN said Monday night.

JCN played an active role in opposing the 2016 candidacy of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court -- a nomination that died during the final months of the Obama presidency -- and supported the nomination and subsequent confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court last year.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Robert Aderholt -- the dean of Alabama congressmen in the lower chamber -- urged the Senate to quickly confirm Kavanaugh.

"From what I know at this point, it appears President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Brett Kavanaugh," Aderholt, R-Haleyville, said in a statement. "Judge Kavanaugh has the qualifications that make him immensely qualified to take a seat on the highest court in the land. I believe, if confirmed by the Senate, Judge Kavanaugh will interpret the Constitution as written, and I don't think he will attempt to make law from the bench.

"Again, based on what I'm hearing about Judge Kavanaugh, I encourage my Congressional colleagues in the Senate to quickly confirm him."

Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope, lauded Kavanaugh's nomination.

"As a fair legal mind, defender of the Constitution, and a judge on the D.C. Circuit, Brett Kavanaugh is prepared for a seat on the Supreme Court," Byrne posted on Facebook and Twitter. "I support President Trump's nominee, and I hope the Senate will move expeditiously to confirm Judge Kavanaugh, a high quality and uniquely qualified nominee."

As a fair legal mind, defender of the Constitution, and a judge on the D.C. Circuit, Brett Kavanaugh is prepared for a...

"Thrilled tonight with @realdonaldtrump's pick for the United States Supreme Court," Rogers posted on Twitter. "Now, I urge the Senate to get to work and confirm our nominee."

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commended Trump on the nomination of Kavanaugh.

"I applaud President Trump for his nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court," Ivey said in a statement. "Judge Kavanaugh clearly understands the proper role of a judge is to interpret the law as it is written and apply the law impartially. It is imperative that judges adhere to the Constitution and resist judicial activism. As a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Kavanaugh will have the opportunity to set valuable precedents for lower court judges all over the country to follow.

"Another conservative justice on the U.S. Supreme Court who honors the original intent of the Constitution will have a positive impact on our country for decades. I look forward to following the U.S. Senate confirmation process."

Updated today, July 9, 2018, at 9:19 p.m. with new information throughout.